HOW TO HELP: Love Heels 5K to be held Oct. 14 in Plymouth

Support services for the victims of domestic violence teach that love shouldn’t hurt and help survivors get back on their feet.

Kathryn Gallerani kgallerani@wickedlocal.com @kgallreporter

PLYMOUTH – Support services for the victims of domestic violence teach that love shouldn’t hurt and help survivors get back on their feet.

Supporters can help by participating in the upcoming Second Annual Love Heels 5K in support of domestic violence programming and to raise awareness of violence affecting women, men and children.

The South Shore Women’s Resource Center’s Second Annual Love Heels 5K kicks off at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct 14, in Nelson Park in Plymouth. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Program Director Sandra Blatchford said the money raised will go toward services and helping clients in all their programs.

“It’s a walk to highlight the frequency of domestic violence in our area,” she said.

The 5K has been added this year. The first Love Heels event was a walk only. The idea for it belonged to two Plymouth County residents between 10 and 12 years old from the ARC of Greater Plymouth.

In addition to providing center-based and community-based domestic violence services, the Center also offers a homicide bereavement program and an impaired driver program. Domestic violence advocate Ashley works one-one-one with domestic abuse survivors and runs support groups.

The event supports domestic abuse survivors and the families of survivors in addition to honoring those who did not survive.

“We also read the names of all the people who have died from domestic violence in Massachusetts,” she said.

At least 20 names will be read. Among the 20 are 12 women, three men and five perpetrators who took their lives. The reading of the names will be followed by a moment of silence.

Ashley both organizes and will run in the 5K, while another advocate, Karen, runs the vigil. Ashley said the support for the event has been fabulous, and the event itself is very meaningful to those who attend.

“It’s very moving to be a part of something like it, to see all these people come together from different areas and walks of life to support the survivors in our community, to let them know we’re here to help and are not alone in the fight,” Ashley said.

Blatchford said what often happens is that an individual will meet with one of the center’s advocates, who will determine if they are in need of help with their rent, utilities or other costs and what they can do to overcome those challenges.

She said the state Department of Public Health provides some funding, but it does not cover all the costs for individuals who need financial assistance.

“We assess everything on a case-by-case basis,” she said. “Then we work with the victim to assess the best way to help them to get back on their feet.”

Runners and walkers can register online at www.southshorerace.com for a fee of $25 for adults, $20 for students ages 11 to 18, and $15 for children. The Love Heels 5K is listed under October races on the website.

Registration on race day begins at 8 a.m. The fees on race day are $30, $25 and $20. After raising approximately $1,100 last year, their goal is to raise $1,500 to $2,000.

Anyone interested in learning more about the services they offer, or helping with the race, can call 508-746-2664.

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